Survivors of sexual abuse and assault in Pennsylvania deserve to be heard, believed, and empowered to seek justice. Whether the abuse occurred recently or in the past during your childhood, the trauma can affect every part of your life. At Stronger Than, we connect survivors with compassionate and experienced Pennsylvania sexual abuse lawyers who understand the legal landscape and can help you take meaningful steps toward healing and accountability.
If you or a loved one experienced sexual abuse in a church, school, medical facility, workplace, or elsewhere, you may be entitled to financial compensation through a civil lawsuit. A knowledgeable Pennsylvania sexual assault lawyer can guide you through your options and help you hold abusers and negligent institutions responsible.
How Does Pennsylvania Define Sexual Abuse or Assault?
Pennsylvania law defines sexual offenses under Title 18, Chapter 31 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes. These laws include a range of offenses, including:
- Rape (18 Pa. C.S. § 3121) – engaging in sexual intercourse with a person without their consent, through force, threat, or when the victim is unconscious or otherwise unable to consent.
- Sexual assault (18 Pa. C.S. § 3124.1) – non-consensual sexual intercourse or deviate sexual intercourse without the use of force.
- Institutional sexual assault (18 Pa. C.S. § 3124.2) – sexual contact between employees of facilities like schools, prisons, or healthcare institutions and those under their care or custody.
- Aggravated indecent assault – sexual contact involving penetration without consent or involving minors or incapacitated individuals.
Importantly, Pennsylvania law recognizes that consent cannot be given in certain power-imbalanced relationships, such as between a therapist and a patient or a teacher and a student. A qualified sexual assault attorney can help determine which legal definitions apply to your case.
Regardless of whether you were sexually abused as a child or as an adult, a Pennsylvania sex abuse lawyer can help you make sense of your sexual abuse experience, identify potentially at-fault parties, and assist with filing a civil sex abuse lawsuit to help get justice and recover critical financial losses.
Is There a Pennsylvania Lookback Period?
If you were sexually abused in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, you may have until you turn 55 years old to file a lawsuit against an abuser or the responsible institution(s).
What Is the Pennsylvania Statute of Limitations for Sexual Abuse, Assault, and Trafficking?
The statute of limitations (SOL) sets the deadline for filing a civil case. Pennsylvania has made significant changes to these laws in recent years, particularly for survivors of childhood sexual abuse.
- Childhood sexual abuse (civil claims): Survivors now have until age 30 to file a lawsuit against their abuser or a negligent institution.
- Adult sexual assault (civil claims): Victims generally have 2 years from the date of the assault to file a lawsuit.
- Sex trafficking victims: Can pursue civil action within 10 years from the date of the offense or discovery of the harm.
For criminal cases, charges for major sex crimes can be brought until the victim turns 55 years of age. Pennsylvania also allows for extensions under the “discovery rule” when survivors only later realize the extent of their trauma or when new evidence emerges. A Pennsylvania sexual assault lawyer can ensure that your claim is filed within the appropriate timeline, or they can advise if an exception may apply.
Can I Sue the Person Who Sexually Assaulted Me?
Yes. Survivors in Pennsylvania can file civil lawsuits against the individuals who harmed them—even if no criminal charges were ever filed or if the perpetrator was acquitted.
In addition to the person who committed the abuse, you may also be able to sue:
- Employers, schools, or religious institutions that failed to protect you
- Medical facilities that ignored red flags or failed to report abuse
- Organizations that created environments of secrecy or enabled predators
Civil lawsuits can hold all responsible parties financially and legally accountable. A sexual abuse lawyer in Pennsylvania can evaluate the facts of your case and help you pursue justice through the civil court system.
Pennsylvania Sex Abuse Lawsuits
What Damages Can Survivors Receive in a Sex Abuse Lawsuit?
Sexual abuse and assault lawsuits in Pennsylvania can lead to compensation for both tangible and intangible harms. Survivors may seek damages for:
- Medical expenses, including therapy and counseling
- Lost wages or loss of future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Punitive damages, especially when institutions or individuals acted with extreme negligence or malice
A skilled sexual assault attorney can work with experts to fully calculate and pursue damages that reflect the depth of your trauma and losses.
How Much Compensation for Sexually Abused Victims Is Available?
The amount of compensation in Pennsylvania sexual abuse cases varies depending on several factors:
- The severity and duration of the abuse
- The age of the survivor at the time of the abuse
- The impact on the survivor’s mental health and life path
- Whether an institution is also being held accountable
- Whether punitive damages are applicable
Some Pennsylvania civil lawsuits have resulted in multi-million-dollar settlements or verdicts, particularly in clergy abuse or school-related cases. An experienced Pennsylvania sexual abuse attorney can build a strong case to pursue the maximum compensation available.
Pennsylvania Clergy Sexual Abuse Cases
Clergy sexual abuse has deeply impacted countless survivors across Pennsylvania. Major Catholic dioceses—including Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Erie, Allentown, and Harrisburg—have faced public scandal and legal action following revelations of widespread abuse and cover-ups.
The 2018 Pennsylvania grand jury report revealed systemic abuse by more than 300 priests across six dioceses, along with decades of concealment by church leadership. Survivors were often silenced, ignored, or discouraged from speaking out.
Today, many survivors are filing lawsuits under the new lookback window and under Pennsylvania’s extended statute of limitations. These lawsuits can target:
- Individual priests or clergy members
- Dioceses and church leaders who enabled or covered up abuse
- Religious orders and institutions that transferred abusers instead of stopping them
If you experienced clergy abuse, a Pennsylvania sexual abuse lawyer can help you take action and reclaim your power.
Pennsylvania Trafficking Lawsuits
Sex trafficking is a serious and growing problem in Pennsylvania, particularly in urban centers like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, as well as along interstate highways.
Under Pennsylvania law (18 Pa. C.S. § 3011–3019), trafficking survivors may file civil lawsuits against:
- Traffickers and pimps
- Hotels or motels that allowed trafficking to occur
- Websites or online platforms that facilitated trafficking
- Businesses or individuals who profited from or enabled the abuse
A sexual assault attorney in Pennsylvania can investigate your case, preserve your anonymity when needed, and pursue justice against all liable parties.
The Federal Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPRA) has awarded survivors at least $255,298,993.50 in civil damages since 2020, and the number continues to grow. The Safe Harbor Law, or Senate Bill 292, passed in 2023, protects child survivors and ensures minors under 17 cannot be charged with certain offenses, such as trespassing, prostitution, driving without a license, theft, and using a false I.D.
Pennsylvania Medical Sexual Abuse Cases
Sexual abuse by medical professionals is a betrayal of the deepest kind. Unfortunately, these violations do occur in Pennsylvania, sometimes involving:
- Doctors and OB-GYNs
- Therapists and psychiatrists
- Chiropractors or physical therapists
- Medical staff in hospitals or nursing homes
Victims may have a civil claim not just against the individual perpetrator, but also against the hospital, clinic, or medical practice that employed them or failed to act on prior complaints.
An experienced Pennsylvania sexual abuse attorney can help you access medical records, uncover patterns of abuse, and fight for justice.
Pennsylvania School Sexual Abuse Cases
Schools are meant to be safe spaces—but when teachers, coaches, counselors, or staff abuse their authority, the effects can be devastating and lifelong.
Survivors of school sexual abuse in Pennsylvania can file lawsuits against:
- Public and private K-12 schools
- Colleges and universities
- Youth programs, camps, and athletic organizations
In many cases, school administrators failed to report abuse, ignored red flags, or allowed abusive staff to quietly resign rather than face consequences.
A Pennsylvania sexual assault lawyer can help expose negligence and hold schools accountable for failing to protect students.
FAQs: Pennsylvania Sexual Abuse Laws
What Are the Pennsylvania Sex Offender Laws?
Pennsylvania classifies sex offenders under Megan’s Law and the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA). Offenders are categorized into tiers based on the severity of the offense:
- Tier I – least severe, 15 years of registration
- Tier II – 25 years of registration
- Tier III – most severe, lifetime registration and in-person reporting every 90 days
Registered offenders are listed in an online public database maintained by the Pennsylvania State Police. Survivors may use this tool to learn whether their perpetrator has a history of offenses.
Where Can Sex Offenders Live in Pennsylvania?
Unlike some other states, Pennsylvania does not have statewide residency restrictions for sex offenders. However, certain municipalities may have local ordinances, and the courts may impose parole or probation conditions that limit where an offender can live.
This legal landscape is constantly shifting due to court challenges and evolving legislation. A Pennsylvania sexual assault attorney can explain how these laws may impact your safety, especially if you are seeking a civil protection order or safety planning resources.
Resources for Survivors of Sexual Abuse in Pennsylvania
There are many organizations across Pennsylvania offering support to sexual abuse survivors:
- The National Human Trafficking Resource Center – A national hotline that connects people with anti-trafficking resources in the area, training, and technical assistance. The 24-hour hotline is 1-888-373-7888, and the text line is 233733 (BEFREE).
- PCAR (Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape) – Offers statewide services and advocacy, and a 24/7 hotline (1-888-772-7227)
- WOAR – Philadelphia Center Against Sexual Violence – Counseling and advocacy in the Philadelphia area
- Victim Services Center of Montgomery County – Offers trauma therapy, support groups, and advocacy
- RAINN – National Sexual Assault Hotline (1-800-656-HOPE) provides confidential support 24/7
A Pennsylvania Sex Abuse Lawyer Is Here To Help
You have the right to speak out about what has happened to you. You also have the right to seek justice and compensation. Whether you’re ready to file a lawsuit or just want to explore your options, the legal professionals we partner with at Stronger Than are here to support you without pressure or judgment.
A Pennsylvania sexual abuse lawyer can help you seek justice, secure compensation, and start reclaiming your life. You deserve to be heard. You deserve to be believed. We believe survivors, and we’re here to stand with you. Contact us today if you’d like to explore your legal option in Pennsylvania.
